About Me
The recipe for success is working for The C Elliott Project.
Sustaining a TOP 5 position on the Clear Channel NEW! music charts [Chasing the Wind (Angel) - MARKET RESEARCH DEMO] where The C Elliott Project was featured with Amy Winehouse, Elliott Yamin, Colby Caillat and LCD Soundsystem has helped build awareness and tremendous momentum for this talented singer / songwriter.
"He is so passionate and that passion is reflected through his ability as a singer and songwriter. He is truly one of the nicest guys you will ever meet...." says co-producer and engineer Thomas "T-bone" Demman (Phil Ramone, Arif Mardin, Frank Sinatra, Christina Aguilera, Robin Thicke).
Blending songwriting and vocal style that has drawn comparisons to Morrissey, Jim Kerr of Simple Minds, Brian Ferry of Roxy Music, Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode and Rob Thomas, The C Elliott Project has attracted the attention of the Los Angeles Music Awards Nominating Committee securing a place in history with former LA Music Awards Nominees the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen Stefani, Alien Ant Farm and System of a Down to name a few.
The C Elliott Project is putting the final touches on a digital "maxi-single" so check back for more information.
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MAY 2007
Anyone who has ever met Chad Elliott Stenslie (pronounced stenz-lee), the singer and songwriter behind The C Elliott Project, has no doubt about his passion for life and the music he writes. This is ever apparent in the way he endeavors to perform each song with a signature vocal style - perfectly imperfect and unpredictable. Each song is a journey taking on a life-of-its own seeking to bond with the listener at yet undiscovered emotional levels.
In "Redemption," Stenslie sings "it's not who we are or what we've done, but who we are becoming." It's a lyric that really speaks to this artist and his aspirations for the future. "The power in the lyrics and music reflect transparent vulnerability with heartfelt tension."
Stenslie says that he wrote the song because of personal experiences and because he saw society focused on how it has been wronged or vengeance, with little emphasis placed on real forgiveness and the power of healing.
"I know I've struggled with that concept and the subsequent emotions and have found myself, at times, keeping little records of wrongs," he says. "Ultimately, that only binds you up emotionally and really creates a dysfunctional atmosphere in one's relationships."
Songwriting is intensely personal for Stenslie, who says that growing up in a small Montana town and having a less-than-ideal home life might "bubble up to the surface at some level." But this is not an artist who dwells on the past—he is focused on where he can take The C Elliott Project.
His interest in singing and songwriting began in college, where he hung out with a bass player with whom his discussions revolved around music, songwriting and recording. That evolved into some basement recording studio time and graduating from law school.
Today, The C Elliott Project is a Las Vegas-based studio concept that focuses on Stenslie's talents as a songwriter, singer and producer. On his debut EP, Indicia, he's joined by good friend Thomas "T-Bone" Demman on guitar. Demman is co-producing and engineering the project at SonSongs Recording Studio in Las Vegas.
"I hope listeners will notice that there's a kaleidoscope of styles from song to song," he says. "I have no specific sound other than having each song reflect differing characteristics including vibe and voice. For better or worse, listeners will have difficulty defining my style."
His wife, Michelle, is a source of inspiration for his work. "The unique way in which she enriches my song writing is in the passion that we live everyday for one another," he says. "I don't have to "struggle" to love her – if that makes any sense – she understands me better than I understand myself."
He's focused on earning his musical chops, which involves a dual challenge: the fact that he is an undiscovered (for now) indie act and that he's a studio musician. "No one is waiting for "your project" to be released to the world!" he says. "You have to create some kind of buzz--whether purposeful or by chance – and as an artist, you need to be mature enough to understand that."
Stenslie acknowledges that not touring (initially) puts the growth of his audience and career on a slightly different path: "Most labels want at least a regional track record of touring to show commitment and sales before they will consider you. If there is any advantage, it's that you can always be writing/recording because you are not out on the road. Still, I am not opposed to playing a gig here or there."
So he'll keep working and writing and producing, and as Indicia takes hold in the market, The C Elliott Project will move ever closer to inking a deal with a label and creating interest for TV and film placement. In the meantime, he's proud to be part of a lively music scene in Vegas.
"There is a small but growing movement of talented artists such as Ashbury, The Day After, Slow Children, Cherry Hill, The Killers, Panic at the Disco, and The Higher. They've really put Vegas on the musical map," he says. "I only hope to further that confidence in the market. The whole idea here is to gain contacts, a track record as an artist, and savvy within the music industry."
Help spread the word and request Chasing the Wind (Angel) on iChannelMusic.com and HD radio:
St. Louis - 101.1 WMVN HD2
Salt Lake City - 102.7 KSL HD2
Phoenix - 98.7 KPKX HD2
Washington DC - WTOP HD2
Chicago - 101.9 WTMX HD2
It's all about YOU -- FAMILY, FRIENDS and FANS! Thanks for all the emails and occasional comments! Please forgive me if I am unable to get back to each of you as I am unable to spend a great deal of time on MySpace due to personal and professional time constraints. I do try to read each message and your thoughts, invitations and remarks are heartfelt. -- Chad
FRIENDS AND COMMENTS: I have removed all comments due to requests and a personal decision to avoid the inevitable CESSPOOL of spammers, etc.
